Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-12-01

s'Pray that she may present you to the
Princess" whispered Dick, in his ear
But the old Lady saw fit to leave him to
the tender mercies of remarkably bright,
| handsome and physically vigorous young
English girl, daughter of the Earl of Broad
acres.
So eager was Fairfax to discover if the
object Of his search were in the room that,
at first, he was not even civil to the girl
paying little heed to her delightfully."- org
mai and brilliant conversation.
No Natalie was anywhere to be scent All
the guests seemed to be gathered in the
large hall The ballroom and the ADJOINING
rooms, too, were deserted. Beside, he had
seen no one on the porch when he entered.
Alasl she was not here! Or had gone
He sighed profoundly; and, unconsciously,
murTnured:
'My fater'
The English girl, who had, heretofore,
never lacked appreciative listeners, felt
piqued at his inattention and non-comInittal
answers. She had made extra efforts to
win his interest, and now burst forth, icily,
with the remark:
"Mr. Fairfax, you seem to forget your
self"
Thus recalled to his senses, Fairfax, after
apologizing, confessed that he expected to
meet friend there that evening, but had
been disappointed. Too polite to inquire
whom he meant, yet Modified by his answer,
the girl resumed her talk.
Although still preserving a subdued
rather sad demeanor, that became him Won
derfully well and rendered him more inter
esting in the eyes of his companion, who
Lad now determined to satisfy her curiosity
with regard to him, Fairfax actually found
himself becoming interested in her. He
gradually came to a realizing sense of the
brilliant conversational powers of the beau
tiful creature who stood before him. Her
large, deep-blue eyes beamed with intelli-
gence, and were capable, he thought. of
glowing with the passion of love, or of ter
rible anger. Tall, magnificent of physique,
crowned with profusion of brown hair, ar
ranged in simple but lovely folds, her
cheeks glowing with health, she reminded
him of some grand Morse maiden whom the
old Vikings acknowledged their princess.
AS he was listening to her conversation,
the light struck full upon his face from
above. Anxieties had not failed to make
thereon their marks. Aroused as he was to-
night, and yet Saddened, he appeared like a
man of intense earnestness, laboring under
some great sorrow which he was bravely
struggling to repress-just that sort of
character calculated to awaken interest in
the soul of romantic maiden.
A large staircase wound down from
above and touched the floor few steps be-
You'd him.
A hush suddenly seemed to come over the
noisy hall, and Fairfax, all at once, became
aware of the fact that some person or per-
sons were looking at him.
Have you never felt that you We're being
watched! So he, then, felt and glanced
quickly upward to discover who was observ-
ing him.
Had it not been for his self-control, he
would have started violently. AS it was, q
great wave of color surged over his face,
and he quickly looked down again, half turn
ing his back to the staircase to hide his con-
fusion.
Coming down with stately steps and lean
ing on the arm of the Marquis, a courtly old
gentleman of perhaps eighty, was Natalie,
gazing steadfastly with her great earnest
eyes at Fairfax.
Her figure was encased in a superbly-fit-
ting dress of cream-color. In her right hand
she held bouquet of roses, Waite, red and
yellow; while, above her lovely brow, fast
ened among those dark tresses, glittered a
golden star, from whose center a pure dia-
mond shot forth brilliant rays, reflected
from the myriad lights below.
The old Marquis, with powdered white
hair and cue, l1nee-breeches and antique
buckles, and talking to her with the name
less grace Of the French school, while he
carried her long cloak on his free arm,
made, with her, SO charming picture as